Chapter I

Introduction
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 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

The history of human civilisation is a history

of his cultural advancement too. The wisdom that

mankind acquired and possessing is the sum total

of the contributions made by many great seers

and thinkers. A number of philosophies both

materialistic and metaphysical came into

existence; being contribution of those who

contemplated deeply on various aspects of the

phenomenal world. Though all the philosophies

have been for the welfare and for the sake of the

entire human society, we meaninglessly and

foolishly try to identify them as Western and

Eastern. Materialistic philosophies try to find

solutions to the mundane problems of mankind

1
and other living beings. Man is not merely

composed of matter, but something beyond,

which is often described as metaphysical.

However, from experience we have realised that

man's other problems are more, compared to his

physical problems. He is more a psychic being,

than a physical entity. His problems therefore go

and extend beyond all physicalities. The great

seers, Western and Eastern have tried to give

solutions to the vexed physical, intellectual and

supra-mental problems of man. Some

philosophies give more importance to the social

and material life of human beings, whereas, some

others stress on intellectual advancement and

progress. Yet others give and attach more

importance to the spiritual needs of man. The

seers like Vedavysa, Buddha, Vardhamna

Mahveera, Christ, Muhammed Nabi, akara,

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 Ramakrishna Paramahasa, Narayana Guru,

Spinoza, Descartes and a host of others who

perceived the higher realms of human total

existence, associate human life with the Supreme,

the Absolute.

1.2 The term science is derived from the Latin

term 'scientia' which means knowledge.1 In that

sense, it is appropriate to note the knowledge of

the Supreme as a science of the Absolute. But in

the practical and common parlance science is

conceived as a knowledge or study developed by

systematic observation obtained by using or

arranging formal principles. It can be acquired

through skill or technique. Scientific study,

therefore involves a disciplined approach to a

problem. But science as commonly understood

1
Mairi Robinson (ed.), 'Chambers 21 st Century
Dictionary'. Allied Chamber's (India) Ltd., New Delhi,
1997, p. 1257.

3
 and experienced is one related to matter or the

subtle form of matter which is energy. That is

science is the expansion of knowledge limited or

reachable upto the field of energy only. The

Absolute being understood as the Supreme, the

Omniscient is explained and conceived as one

beyond the purview of energy or matter.

1.3 A number of spiritualistic philosophies that

have taken birth in India and elsewhere;

explained, in their own particular way, the need

for the emancipation of mankind through the

knowledge of the Absolute; the knowledge of the

Almighty. The science of yoga; the union of the

individual soul with the Ultimate - Absolute entity,

has been expressed, pronounced, interpreted and

re-interpreted by many thinkers and scholars

according to their own insight and wisdom. It can

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 be noticed that, in certain critical stages of human

progress there had been the development of

spiritualistic philosophies to suit the need of the

peculiar situations faced by human beings; either

in the West or in the East.

1.4 Those who study the social, economical, or

political developments of different countries of the

world essentially come across with some theories

or philosophies which are metaphysical or

spiritualistic and which had been able to influence

the life of man in the mundane level as well. A

large number of metaphysical philosophies or the

spiritualistic philosophies, had their origin in the

East, such as Buddhism, Jainism, Advaita,

Viidvaita, etc.

1.5 In the state of Kerala, a small region in the

extreme south-west coast of India, also made a

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remarkable contribution to the knowledge of the

Absolute. akaracharya, Ezhuthachan and

Narayana Guru were the prominent seers among

them. Narayana Guru, who lived in Kerala about a

century ago was a true social reformer. During his

period there existed many social evils like

castiesm and untouchability. The people of Kerala

were categorised into upper castes and lower

castes and that the upper caste people often

exploited by the lower classes, economically and

socially. Most of the people were farmers who

were exploited by the upper castes and the lower

castes were not even allowed to walk on the

public road and study in public schools. The lower

caste ladies were not even permitted to cover the

upper part of their body, the chest. These all

were; in the name of religion, caste or God.

Narayana Guru realised that human beings could

6
not be segregated in the name of caste or creed

and that according to him these were evils

created by the few to exploit others; physically,

intellectually, economically and socially. He

studied in-depth, the essence of the vedas and

other relevant philosophies including Buddhism, to

understand their messages and spirit. He

declared that all human beings are one and that

any efforts to categorise them on the basis of

religion and caste would be anti-human, anti-

social and anti-God. He framed his own

philosophies taking the essence of all other

perennial philosophies with special emphasis to

Buddhism and Advaita. Narayana Guru became a

great scholar and seer, who contributed much to

literature and philosophy. His philosophical

teachings comprised of many writings such as,

tmopada atakam, Daranaml, Brahmavidy

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 Pacakam, Municary Pacakam, etc. in addition

to many devotional poems.

1.6 But his work ' Daranaml' is considered as

the epitome and essence of his visions in the

spiritualistic sense. This work contains his

spiritually, related, supra-mental experiences,

showing right direction towards emancipation of

human beings, and for the attainment of the

Supreme, the Eternal. Daranaml consists of a

hundred verses, divided into ten chapters of ten

verses each. Every chapter reveals a definite

vision, relating to and forming part of the total

vision.

1.7 Though many people have studied,

interpreted and re-interpreted the work of '

Daranaml', Nataraja Guru, the direct disciple of

Narayana Guru, whose contribution or study on

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 the work of ' Daranaml' stands to be more

popular, profound and widely accepted by the

scholars; Western and Eastern.

1.8 The Research Scholar in the present study

tries to unveil the essence of ' Daranaml' in the

light of the interpretation given to it by Nataraja

Guru in his book, "An Integrated Science of the

Absolute". Nataraja Guru accomplished his

writing of "An Integrated Science of the Absolute"

in 1967. Being a great scholar with in-depth

knowledge of modern science and philosophy, he

tries to interpret and explain the philosophical

truths scientifically and in a most convincing

manner to the readers who live in an era of

sporadic scientific progress. It is said that, in

Nataraja Guru, there was a communion of modern

science and spiritual wisdom of ancient

9
philosophy. He expresses 'Brahmavidya' as a

Science of the Absolute. Being a profound scholar

in modern science he tries to extinguish the

mistery of spiritual philosophies by explaining

them through the eye of modern science. Muni

Narayana Prasad in his forward to the revised

edition (2001) of "An Integrated Science of the

Absolute" expresses "all branches of sciences,

every fold of discipline, academic and non-

academic, esoteric or exoteric, ancient or modern,

physical and metaphysical is a particular way for

the functioning of the human mind to find

expression".2 Man continuously tries to find

solutions to his problems and thinks about the

nature around him and the misteries of the world

beyond. The search for knowledge and search for

2
Nataraja Guru, 'An Integrated Science of the
Absolute', D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd., New Delhi, 2001, p.
VIII.

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 the unknown paved the way for somany

inventions and discoveries and also compelled

him to think wide and deep into the metaphysical

or spiritual world of knowledge. The study of

Nataraja Guru on Daranaml is invariably such a

profound one to bring into light the secret of the

vision of Yoga as experienced and realised by

Narayana Guru.

1.9 Mr. Don Berry, U.S.A. opines that Daranaml

is an exceedingly compact and lucid expression of

Narayana Guru's Unity vision.3 As regards on

interpretation or a study of someone's philosophy

or vision, it is often based on the extent of

understanding or level of wisdom the researcher

or those who study the subject. Especially in the

case of very subtle philosophers like, the

3
Nitya Chithanya Yati, 'The Psychology of
Daranaml', D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd., New Delhi, 2004,
p. 8.

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 spiritualistic one, it requires the true experience

that one acquires by surrendering the stumpling

block, his ego. A researcher or A seeker of truth

should revalidate one's study or modify or add

something more to the stock. It often reminds us

of an irony that the scholars who have no real

conceptual knowledge or empirical experience of

the Supreme, do interpret, explain and

substantiate the philosophies, to those who have

no proper understanding on them, in such a way

as they have understood or pretends to have well

understood the same. Scholarship is not a

criterion or essential factor to explain a subtle

knowledge or the metaphysical knowledge

relating to the Supreme.

1.10 The Researcher, in the present study, tries to

analyse and evaluate the interpretation or

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explanation given by the Scholar Guru (Nataraja

Guru) to see how far the spirit of ' Daranaml'

has been effectively communicated to the readers

and devotees both in the academic and, in the

spiritualistic sense. Nataraja Guru, who acquired

much knowledge of the Western philosophies and

that of the East wanted to interpret and explain

the spiritualistic vision of Narayana Guru in a

scholastic and scientific way. It remains doubtful

whether scholastic wisdom could be able to unveil

or enlighten the inner subtilities of spiritualistic

vision which stands as an experience of the yogic

mind. Kabrdas and Sr Ramakrina

Paramahasa were excellent examples of non-

scholars, who could explain the spiritual truths or

knowledge with more simplicity and clarity. Yoga

as a practice has been considered as one helping

to pacify and tranqulise the troubled psyche of

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 human beings. Man is confronted with an influx of

problems arising one after another or many

arising simultaneously: It results in total unrest

and consequent difficulties. Yoga is said to be a

science which is a panacea for many of the

psychic ills and discomforts. The Investigator

feels that the present study may help in this

direction.

1.11 It would be advisable in this context, to know

something, about the great scholar - Nataraja

Guru, and of his writings.

Life sketch of Nataraja Guru is given as

Appendix I.

Major works of Nataraja Guru

1. The Way of the Guru - Narayana Gurukula,

Varkala, 1931.

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2. The Word of the Guru - Narayana Gurukula,

Varkala, 1952.

3. The Bhagavad Gt (Commentary) - Narayana

Gurukula, Varkala, 1961.

4. Vednta Revalued and Restated - Narayana

Gurukula - Varkala, 1964.

5. The Philosophy of a Guru - Narayana Gurukula

- Varkala, 1965.

6. An Anthology of the Poems of Narayana Guru

- Narayana Gurukula, Varkala, 1976.

7. Man Woman Dialectics - Narayana Gurukula -

Varkala - Kollam, 1977.

8. An Integrated Science of the Absolute -

Narayana Gurukula, Varkala, 1979.

9. The Search for a Norm in Western Thought -

Narayana Gurukula - Varkala - 1986.

10. akar's Soundarya Lahari (Commentary) -

East - West University, Varkala. 1988.

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11. Autobiography of an Absolutist, Narayana

Gurukula, Varkala, 1989.

12. Life and Teachings of Narayana Guru,

Narayana Gurukula, Varkala, Revised New

Edition, 1990.

13. Wisdom the Absolute is Adorable - D.K.

Printworld (P) Ltd. New Delhi - 1995.

14. Experiencing One - World - D.K. Printworld (P)

Ltd. New Delhi - 1996.

Nataraja Guru was a deep scholar in many of

the Eastern and Western philosophies. He wanted

to see spiritual knowledge through the window of

science. He tried his best to interpret the

spiritualistic concepts applying Physical Sciences

and Mathematics. His view therefore stands

convincing to those who consider that science can

explain everything affecting the human beings

physically or intellectually or spiritually. At the

16
 time of Nataraja Guru he became an outstanding

scholar and Guru to the seekers of the Absolute

Truth.

1.12 Need and Significance of the Study

'An Integrated Science of the Absolute' by

Nataraja Guru representing a scholastic and

scientific interpretation of the Yogic vision of

Narayana Guru, contained in 'Daranaml', is

considered as not well understood by many of the

readers of philosophy, seekers of knowledge and

researchers in this field. It is because of the

application of subtle physical and metaphysical

sciences; which are alien to common readers, for

the interpretation and clarification of mystic truths

and experiences which a yog like Narayana Guru

had, in his path of attaining the true knowledge of

the Absolute. In this present study a humble

17
effort is made by the Researcher, with a view to

simplify, clarify and unveil many of the secrets

being confined to the scholastic framework of

Nataraja Guru; to the knowledge of the common

readers of this book. Nataraja Guru tried to

explain the spiritualistic visions through the

physical and metaphysical sciences which are

often considered beyond the reach of common

man who does not know the implication of science

in relation to the knowledge of God, the Absolute.

Therefore, the Researcher found it necessary to

see how far it could come nearer to the subtle

truths, explained scientifically by Nataraja Guru

and make it convincing and understandable to

those who seek sincerely, the knowledge of the

glorious and the all pervading, the enlightened

one, the Parama-Purua, the Paramtma. The

Researcher having gone deep the study of

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Daranaml as given by Nataraja Guru, tries to

make the views of him understandable to the

seekers of knowledge and spiritual wisdom. Man

is mainly concerned with acquiring objects of

physical pleasures by amazing material wealth

and knowledge for getting them. This state of

affairs has created ever so many problems being

faced by the community today due to the neglect

of the values of life. Man is more confronted by

many psychological problems and consequent

unrest due to his neglect of spiritual values and

the love for the Supreme. It can be seen that a

large number of problems created by the so-called

revolutionaries, politicians, religious leaders and

extremists are due to the death of spiritualistic

knowledge and values. Human beings have often

become very much selfish, competitive, unkind,

unsocialistic, and even anti-social. As a result

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they lack genuine interest to spiritualistic values

and real knowledge of the Absolute. The

Researcher finds that a humble attempt to the

study of the Science of the Absolute on the basis

of the interpretation of Narayana Guru's

Daranaml may throw some light for the need of

the development of the real knowledge that is the

knowledge of the Absolute. Therefore it would be

useful to know how far modern science can be

used to explain the subtle spiritualistic concepts.

The Researcher tries to bring into the knowledge

of researchers, academicians and others, the

genuine effort made by Nataraja Guru to analyse

the philosophical concepts of Narayana Guru as

revealed in Daranaml. The Researcher hopes

that this study would be useful to those who

conduct a comparative study of Western and

Eastern spiritual thoughts.

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1.13 Statement of the Problem

The present study is titled as - 'A STUDY OF

NATARAJA GURU'S INTERPRETATION ON THE

DARANAML (AN INTEGRATED SCIENCE OF THE

ABSOLUTE) OF SREE NARAYANA GURU'.

1.14 Definition of Key-terms

Daranaml

Daranaml refers to the series of visions

which a spiritual aspirant or a yog experiences

on his path of attaining the Supreme. In the

present study 'Daranaml' refers to a philosophic

work of Sree Narayana Guru.

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 The Absolute

The Absolute is meant in the present study as

the Paramtma (God) or the all pervading entity,

the ultimate cause of the phenomenal world.

Integrated Science

It refers to a unified science - an integrated

body of knowledge - or the science of science or

the one which comprises all sciences. It covers all

scientific knowledge which are helpful to direct

one's self towards the knowledge of the Supreme.

1.15 Some Other Important Terms Used in the

Study (Meanings and Concepts)

Vertical (verticalisation) - Those related to the

Absolute
Horizontal - Those related to the

(Horizontalisation) world
Normalisation - Removal of Ignorance
Nescience - Ignorance or my
Neutralisation - Nullifying the effect of

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 unreal existence
Positivity - Relating to the real or

Absolute
Negativity - Relating to the unreal

(my)
Pluralistic (pluralisation) - Worldly
Plus side - Relating to the

Absolute
Minus side - Relating to the unreal
Cosmology - The scientific study of

the origin, nature,

structure and

evolution of the

universe.
Cosmogony - The study of the origin

of the universe

especially related to

solar system
Incipient memory - Mind contents

factors
Self - tman
Non-self - Those related to mind
Super imposition - Illusion, false

attribution

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 Axiology - The theory of moral

and aesthetic values

Ontology - The branch of

metaphysics that

deals with nature and

essence of things or

existence.
Epistemology - The philosophical

theory of knowledge
Phenomenology - The science of

observing or

describing a

phenomenon
Certitude - A feeling of certainty,

reality
Priori - Previous
Posteriori - Placed behind or after.
1.16 Objectives of the Study

The following are the objectives framed to

facilitate the study with a view to making it

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 comprehensive, systematic, properly directed and

easily understandable.

1. To critically study Nataraja Guru's

interpretation on the Daranaml (Garland of

Visions) of Sree Narayana Guru.

2. To examine the scope and relevance of

studying and explaining the subtle

spiritualistic concepts using modern Science

and Mathematics, in the light of Nataraja

Guru's interpretation, on Daranaml.

3. To evaluate whether Nataraja Guru has

succeeded in communicating the subtle

concepts and meanings of

Daranaml through scientific approach.

1.17 Methodology

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 Every systematic study pre-supposes a

suitable methodology to be adopted.

The Researcher, held detailed discussions

with some scholars in this field with a view to

getting valuable advices and right direction for the

conduct of the study. The names of such scholars,

whose views were of much use in the study are

given below.

1. Muni Narayana Prasad - Gurukulam, Varkala.

2. Adhyatamananda Saraswathy - Chinmaya

Mission, Kozhikode.

3. Chithananda Puri - Advaitasramam, Kolathur,

Kozhikode.

4. Swami Golokananda - Ramakrishna Mission,

Kozhikode.

26
5. Dr. V. Ramakrishna Bhatt - Retd. Professor,

Dept of Vedanta, Faculty of Indian

Metaphysics, SSUS, Kalady.

6. Dr. C.M. Neelakantan - Dept of Vedic Studies,

SSUS, Kalady.

On the basis of the advices received from the

above, the Investigator conducted an intensive

study of many of the Upaniads, Vedas, M

msas, including a deep study of Bhagavad G

t. For this he made use of the libraries of the

Calicut University, Kerala University, Kannur

University, Gurukulam libraries of Varkala and

Ooty, also.

The Researcher included, the contents of the

perennial philosophies of India as a part of this

research report to make the thesis well

understandable to the readers and researchers.

27
 The Researcher conducted a survey of the

related literature and found that little study has

been made on Nataraja Guru's interpretation of

Daranaml. He, therefore, made a detailed

survey of the studies conducted on Daranaml of

Narayana Guru by different Scholars and

Researchers and included the relevant contents of

such studies under Review of Related

Literature of the study.

The Researcher has adopted content

analysis for the study. For authenticity,

convenience and relevance, the following order of

arrangement is made to the study.

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First : Original Sanskrit verse of Daranaml.

Second :Nataraja Guru's English Translation of the

verse.

Third : English meaning of the Sanskrit words.

Fourth :Nataraja Guru's English translation, of

the commentary of Vidyananda (disciple

of Narayana Guru) as approved by

Narayana Guru.

Fifth : The views and interpretation of Nataraja

Guru.

Sixth : A critical and evaluative study of the

Investigator on the basis of the objectives

framed.

The Researcher has included a brief

discussion at the end of every chapter of the

study on Daranaml consolidating the views of

29
 Nataraja Guru in his long Prologues and Epilogues

related to each chapter.

1.18 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The subject Daranaml being conceived and

interpreted by Nataraja Guru, a profound scholar

of science and philosophy who dedicated his

entire life for the cause of attaining true

knowledge of the Absolute; covers extensive

areas of knowledge; physical and metaphysical. It

is not possible to be studied in-depth with in the

limited time allotted to the period of this research.

Nataraja Guru's scientific approach to the search

of true knowledge is a novel one. The Researcher

has made an earnest effort to bring into limelight

many of the important concepts explained by

Nataraja Guru in relation to the Daranaml of

Narayana Guru. This study may help and act as

30
an eye-oponer, to the seekers of knowledge and

the readers of the book, into many mystical

concepts not well-understood by them. This book

needs further studies by various research scholars

and seekers of knowledge from different angles -

physical and metaphysical. The Researcher hopes

that the present study could invite many readers

and seekers of knowledge to read and study the

book of Nataraja Guru which is often considered

cumbersome, too scientific and scholarly to the

reach of the common readers and searchers of

knowledge. This book is to be given due

consideration for philosophical studies concerning

to the knowledge of the Absolute. The Researcher

earnestly hopes and thinks that the present

attempt could encourage readers and Researchers

to know the importance and status of this book in

the array of philosophical works available and

31
those based on scientific approach towards

cosmological truth.

32
1.19 Organisation of the Thesis

For the purpose of convenience and

specificity of the study the Researcher has

organised the contents of the thesis in the

following order.

Chapter I

Introduction includes need and significance of

the study, statement of the problem, definitions of

key terms, objectives of the study, methodology

of the study, scope and limitations of the study,

etc.

Chapter II

A brief theoretical account of the perennial

philosophies of India.

Chapter III

Review of Related Literature.

Chapter IV

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 Detailed study and evaluation of the

interpretation of Nataraja Guru, on selected

verses of Daranaml of Narayana Guru. It

covers ten sub-divided chapters of Daranaml.

Chapter V

Findings, Conclusions and Suggestions for

further studies and research.

34